Nunavut aims to lift public health emergency, COVID-19 restrictions in April

Nunavut's chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, addresses the media during a COVID-19 press conference in Iqaluit, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. Patterson says the territory will aim to end its public health emergency on April 11. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dustin Patar

IQALUIT, Nunavut — Nunavut's chief public health officer says the territory will aim to end its public health emergency on April 11. 

Dr. Michael Patterson says COVID-19 public health measures will also ease every two weeks until all restrictions put in place during the pandemic are lifted. 

Patterson declared the emergency two years ago as COVID-19 first spread across the country. 

Patterson says lifting COVID-19 restrictions will also allow a shift of public health resources.

Starting Monday, gathering sizes can increase across the territory and bars and restaurants can open at 50 per cent capacity. 

Nunavut is reporting a total of 472 active cases of COVID-19 and 33 hospitalizations. 

"COVID-19 is here to stay, and it is time to move away from life under public health measures," Patterson said in a release Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2022. 

The Canadian Press

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